ROWE — The Rowe Park Commission has selected Briel Gibson of Charlemont as the new park manager of Pehlam Lake Park, a role she is expected to begin in November.
Gibson has worked for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation for the past few years, and said she was looking for an opportunity to grow in her field.
She has experience in forestry, clearing trails and organizing volunteers for cleanup days. At Pehlam Lake Park, she hopes to get volunteers more active at the park through community cleanup days and potlucks, and through increasing the park’s social media presence.
“A sense of ownership for a place creates better stewardship,” Gibson told the park commission during an interview earlier this month.
In addition to the physical aspects of the job, she said she is excited to pursue grant writing and developing the park budget.
Outside of work she still enjoys being outside, hiking, camping and spending time with her dog.
Former park manager Sean Loomis resigned on June 16, after spending 22 years in the role. Park commissioners declined to discuss why Loomis stepped down, citing personnel matters.
At an Oct. 21 park commission meeting, Commissioner Laurie Pike said Loomis’ resignation came after he spent a few weeks on administrative leave last spring. Since then the Park Commission has been working to hire a new park manager while Nick Baker served as interim park supervisor.
“We’ve done a pretty exhaustive search, we have interviewed eight different people,” Pike said.
Commissioners discussed how the search was narrowed down to two candidates with similar experience, but in the end Gibson pulled ahead as she was able to begin work fairly soon.
Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com
